Rashard Lewis is playing with viral infection

Maybe this is why Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis has been struggling in the Eastern Conference finals: He’s been playing with a viral infection.

Lewis says he’s been sick the ”whole series” against the Boston Celtics.

”Overall it affects you,” he said after Orlando’s shootaround Wednesday. ”I’ve been throwing up. I haven’t been at full strength. I’ve been feeling weak, my legs been feeling weak. I find myself getting tired very fast in the first quarter. You know, when you can’t hold food down you have no energy in your body to go out there and perform.”

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel report (via blog):

Orlando Magic power forward Rashard Lewis expects to receive intravenous fluids tonight before Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Boston Celtics as he continues battle a nasty stomach virus that’s plagued him all series.

Lewis said after the Magic completed their shootaround today that he’s “not 100 percent, not where I want to be,” but he added that he’s “getting better.”

Lewis received IV fluids before Game 4 on Monday in Boston. His illness was first reported by ESPN’s Rachel Nichols and was later confirmed by the Orlando Sentinel.